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GRAND COULEE — Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is banning all campfires until further notice. The ban on all campfires went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 11. “No open flames are permitted,” a notice on the ban said. “This includes, but is not limited to, all fires in National Park Service-provided fire rings and boxes, shoreline fires, charcoal fires, tiki torches, incense burners, candles, pellet smokers and propane campfires.” Lake Roosevelt officials said self-contained propane and gas stoves and lante...
SPOKANE — Ratepayers who purchase electricity from Avista may have their power turned off on windy, hot summer days when utility officials deem fire danger high. According to company officials, Avista’s so-called “Public Safety Power Shutoff” plan is in response to summer conditions in Eastern Washington. When high winds are forecast, company employees may increase sensitivity on power lines, officials said. The increased sensitivity could lead to more and prolonged power outages. Officials said ratepayers will be notifie...
When it comes to fireworks, there are two classes of people in Washington state, indeed much of the country. In one class are American Indian tribes and tribal members, which sell mortars, Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets and other fireworks with abandon. The other class comprises non-tribal residents, who are generally prohibited from possessing and lighting those same fireworks off a reservation. Predictably, tribes and tribal members are racking up sales to...
VERNITA - If you like spending a week or more fishing for salmon and camping on the Columbia River adjacent to Vernita Bridge, your days are numbered. On Monday, June 17, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife announced plans to limit the number of days fishermen can camp at the water-access area just upstream the bridge during fall salmon seasons in 2024 and 2025. During the fall salmon season, fishermen will be allowed to camp a maximum of 14 days each of the next two...
SPOKANE VALLEY - Two homeless men were booked into the Spokane County Jail last week after allegedly beating a man with a chain-wrapped club. Armando Guerro-Lopez, 44, and Richard Corrales, 36, were both booked into the jail for first-degree robbery. The men were being held on $500,000 bail, set by Superior Court Commissioner Eugene Cruz. Their arrest stems from a June 1 attack in a parking lot in the 5600 block of East Sprague Avenue. According to the Spokane County...
SPOKANE VALLEY — A convicted felon was back in jail in connection with a violent attack only two days after being released from prison. Logan P.L. Ortiz, 29, is being held in the Spokane County Jail on charges of second-degree assault-strangulation with sexual motivation and third-degree assault. Ortiz has previous convictions for first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, criminal trespassing, residential burglary, retail theft, fourth-degree assault, malicious mischief and violation of a p...
LIND — The town will roar to life this weekend as the annual Lind Grand Parade and Combine Derby return to town. The action begins Friday with car and pickup truck racing. Locals and visitors alike with “run what they brung” to Lion’s Club Arena on state Highway 21. Racing is set to begin at 6 p.m. As of press time, racers were still able to get registered for the event by calling Eric Lund at 509-677-3432. Expect racers from across Whitman, Franklin, Adams, Lincoln, Spokane and other counties to be among the field. Saturda...
Disappointingly, many Americans are worried about silly first-world problems like where to go boating or what to barbecue over the upcoming weekend. Too many view this up coming three-day break as an excuse to eat, drink and party, never giving a thought as to why Memorial Day is observed. So while you’re anxiously awaiting the long weekend, take time to remember, understand and plan to observe Memorial Day. Memorial Day is dedicated to the men and women killed while serving i...
YAKIMA — The Liberty (Spangle) girls fastpitch team finished the season with a single loss. This week, the Lancers (22-1) will have an opportunity to show they deserve a shot at the state Class 2B title. The No. 5-ranked Lancers charge into the Gateway Sports Complex for the state fastpitch softball tournament Friday, May 24. They open tournament play at 10 a.m. on Field No. 3 against the No. 12-ranked Lake Roosevelt Raiders (18-5) from Coulee Dam. The Lancers are the top team out of the Northeast 2B League; the Raiders f...
A G5 (extreme) geomagnetic storm resulted in one of the most brilliant displays of northern lights, scientifically known as aurora borealis, on Friday night, May 10. The colorful aerial display was visible across Eastern Washington. Pictured, the colorful sky silhouettes farm buildings....
Timberwolf Briley Smith of Rosalia competed for Tekoa-Rosalia at the Undeberg Invitational on Saturday in Rosalia. Smith qualified for the finals in girls shot put, where she ninth overall with a personal record toss of 27-05....
SPOKANE VALLEY — A local man shoplifting a honeybun is being held in the Spokane County Jail on multiple cahrges. Mayger D. Jones, 23, is being held on $2,500 bond on charges of possession of a stolen firearm, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and third-degree theft. His arrest came at about 7:35 p.m. April 22 after deputies responded to a call of a man walking round the WinCo Foods grocery store, 9718 E. Sprague Ave., with a gun on his hip, records show. The caller, a store employee, reported the man, later i...
OLYMPIA — The state Department of Ecology has declared a statewide drought emergency for everywhere except cities with large storage basins. The drought update was issued Friday, April 19, with the agency predicting a warm, dry spring. According to the agency, the weather forecast will leave many watershed statewide with low water. The declaration allows state agencies to provide drought-related assistance in a more timely manner. Gov. Jay Inslee calked up this year’s forecast drought to global warming. “As our climate conti...
With a little patience and a high-density filter, Eastern Washington residents were able to catch a glimpse of the Monday, April 8, solar eclipse. In our region, at about 11:35 a.m., the moon covered from 26.1-28.5% of the sun. That glimpse was available between clouds. The partial eclipse here lasted 1 hour 52 minutes; it began here at 10:39 a.m. and ended at 12:31 p.m. While we observed only a glimpse of the eclipse, the moon totally blocked the sun across a 115-mile swath...
A rainbow appears to end at a barn on Spangle-Waverly Road last week, east of Liberty High School. The rainbow and sunset combined to cast a golden hue over the farm....
A farmer along Spangle-Waverly Road has erected a hay tribute to the Washington State University Cougars men's basketball team for reaching the national championship "March Madness" tournament. The Cougars, however, have subsequently been eliminated....
Cheney Brownie Lianna Wuesthoff, 8, markets her Girl Scout cookes along West First Street last week. Wuesthoff, was joined by brother Elijah, 7, and mother, Eryn, not pictured....
SPOKANE - Following the Tuesday, March 12, primary in Washington and other states, its appears that voters will see a rematch in the race for U.S. President. Both former President Republican Donald J. Trump and current Democrat President Joseph R. Biden Jr. secured enough support to become the presumptive nominees for their parties. In Washington state, 1.25 million voters cast ballots in the primary election. Trump received 442,048 votes statewide, or 73.8% of Republican...
SPOKANE — The state’s 2024-25 supplemental capital budget includes money to for several 6th Legislative District projects. “The additional money for transportation projects in this supplemental budget will positively impact the transportation system in our communities,” Rep. Mike Volz, R-Spokane, said. “For example, the project for Snowdon will improve safety for kids, which is always a priority.” The funds were part of the funding package introduced as Senate Bill 5949, which appropriated $1.33 billion for projects st...
LAKE ROOSEVELT - The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a "rapid response" plan to take extraordinary measures to kill northern pike found in waterways like Lake Roosevelt. Released last week, the plan would allow state officials and tribes to draw down reservoirs, using Rotenone to poison the fish, netting and seining, quarantining waterways and more after declaring a northern pike emergency. State Aquatic Invasive Species Policy Coordinator Justin Bush...
CHENEY — The state’s 2024-25 supplemental capital budget includes money to improve traffic routes for students and families headed to Snowdon Elementary School. The budget earmarks $419,000 for improving transportation routes in and around the 6323 S. Holly Road school. “The additional money for transportation projects in this supplemental budget will positively impact the transportation system in our communities,” 6th Legislative District Rep. Mike Volz said. “For example, the project for Snowdon will improve safety fo...
OLYMPIA — The state’s supplemental capital budget approved March 6 included funding for several 9th Legislative District projects. Several school districts were allocated funds from the modernization program, including LaCrosse, Palouse, Pomeroy, Steptoe and others. In Pullman, Washington State University also is allocated $10 million for anew digester for the Knott Dairy Center, which makes Cougar Gold cheese. The school will also get $3 million for an energy program. Eastern Washington University in Cheney also rec...
